Have you ever noticed how some songs just seem to hit home? Well, there might be more to that feeling than you think.
Recent theories indicate that we don’t merely listen to music; instead, our bodies might physically resonate with it. This happens as our brain’s natural rhythms align with elements like rhythm and pitch.
Music is often described as a “universal language.” It’s fascinating how people from different backgrounds can share similar dance moves, and little kids can instinctively move to the beat.
According to something called neural resonance theory, it’s not just about learning to anticipate what comes next; it’s actually about how musical components, like harmony, align with the brain’s resonant patterns, making them particularly enjoyable.
“This theory suggests that music is powerful not only because we hear it but because our brains and bodies actually become part of it,” says Caroline Palmer, a neuroscientist at McGill University. “That has significant implications for therapy, education, and technology.”
It’s not exactly surprising. As humans have played with music over countless years, we’ve discovered what sounds good without fully grasping the reasons behind it.
Neural resonance theory has been formally outlined by Palmer and her co-authors in a perspective paper that reviews existing research on musical neuroscience.
One of the key points of this theory is that neural oscillations sync with external sounds at various rates. At the slower end, you have rhythm—those beats you can dance to. Neurons within the cortex oscillate at frequencies that match those musical pulses.
On the higher end, frequencies ranging from about 30 to over 4,000 Hertz are sensed as pitch. Gamma-frequency oscillations in the cortex connect with the lower range, while the auditory nerve and other parts of the brain respond to the higher pitches.
This all contributes to making music enjoyable for everyone, whether you’re a small child or a trained musician.
The authors suggest that certain universal structures in music may have developed because they align with stable states in complex, dynamic systems.
That said, there are learned aspects to our music appreciation; the researchers note that factors like pulse and more intricate structures can differ across cultures.
Simple rhythms, similar to what you might clap along with, often emerge quickly and gain strength over time. In contrast, more intricate musical patterns tend to be specific to each culture. Over time, brain oscillations appear to favor these learned structures, a phenomenon referred to as attunement.
The theory also touches on “groove,” which is essentially the natural desire to move to music. When a beat varies in a non-predictable way, the brain fills in those gaps—what they term nonlinear resonance.
To achieve “high groove ratings,” there needs to be just the right amount of this nonlinear resonance. Yet, if a piece of music is too scattered, it’s probably not going to get anyone dancing. It’s interesting that pop music tends to strike a balance in this regard.
The paper further discusses how neural resonance theory clarifies other musical phenomena and what insights we can glean from it about this universal joy.
“NRT can provide valuable insights into neuroscience and human behavior, as well as the connection between the two,” the researchers note.
“Such insights can illuminate how brain and body interconnect, the ways music conveys emotion, its role in forming interpersonal bonds, and its applications for brain health.”
This perspective was published in the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
